Days 1-2: UK - Saigon

Fly overnight to Saigon via Hong Kong and transfer to the hotel before our welcome dinner of local cuisine.

Day 3: Saigon

Sightseeing today includes the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral and the French-style Post Office. We also visit Cholon (the Chinatown of Saigon), the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda and Ben Thanh Market.

Day 4: Mekong Delta day tour

Travel by coach to My Tho and enjoy a cruise on the Mekong River to explore the delta. Visit floating markets, villages, home industries and plantations.

Day 5: Cu Chi Tunnels & Tay Ninh day tour

Visit the famous tunnel system at Cu Chi and then attend the noon service at the Cao Dai Temple, which is one of the most striking structures in Asia.

Days 6-8: Saigon - Hoi An

Fly to Danang and transfer to the UNESCO listed town of Hoi An stopping at the Cham Museum, Marble Mountains and China Beach en-route. Our walking tour the next day visits a merchant’s home, the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An market and a local Chinese Pagoda. The following day is at leisure.

Day 9: Hoi An - Hue

Drive to Hue, the former historic capital of Vietnam and take a cyclo tour to the Imperial Citadel. Also visit Thien Mu Pagoda and enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River. This evening, take part in a Vietnamese cooking class.

Days 10-11: Hue - Hanoi

Visit the Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Royal Tombs this morning. Fly to Hanoi to visit the Ethnology Museum and enjoy an evening performance of the famous Water Puppets. The next day visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed Sep-Dec), Stilt House and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and drive around Hoan Kiem Lake. Then board the overnight train to Sapa.

Days 12-13: Sapa

Over the next two days, discover the H’Mong and Dao people and explore the villages, valleys and waterfalls (5-6 hours walking per day). Later board the overnight train to Hanoi.

Days 14-15: Halong Bay Junk Cruise - Hanoi

Drive to Halong Bay, the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Vietnam where we will board our traditionally designed junk boat. Relax and enjoy seafood meals onboard. Stay overnight and continue cruising between the nearby islands the following day. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon, driving through the striking rural countryside of the Red River Delta.

Days 16-18: Hanoi - Luang Prabang

Fly to Luang Prabang in Laos and enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO listed town visiting the beautiful temples. Over the next two days, visit the National Museum, enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River and visit local villages, Buddhist caves as well as the Kuangsi Waterfalls.

Day 19: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng

Drive to Vang Vieng, visiting a local market and the village of Pathang for a cruise along the Nam Song River.

Days 20-21: Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Explore the Tham Chang Caves before continuing to Vientiane. Visit That Luang Stupa, the most revered shrine in Laos and Patuxai, resembling the Arc De Triomphe in Paris. Enjoy a traditional Lao dance show this evening. The following day, visit Thongkhankham market, Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Keo and Buddha Park.

Days 22-23: Vientiane - Phnom Penh

Fly to Phnom Penh in Cambodia and visit the Silver Pagoda, the striking Emerald Buddha and the National Museum. The next day, visit the Aspara Association where poor children have been taught to dance, sing and play traditional musical instruments. Also visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes; both of which are moving experiences.

Day 24: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap and visit the Kravan, Sras Srang, Banteay Kdei and East Mebon temples before climbing to the summit of Pre Rup Temple at sunset.

Day 25: Siem Reap

Drive to the fortified city of Angkor Thom and continue to The Bayon. Also visit the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the magnificent Angkor Wat.

Day 26: Siem Reap

Enjoy a cruise on Tonle Sap and visit a floating village (Aug to Feb) or visit Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva (Mar to Jul), before continuing to Ta Keo to see the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, which has been swallowed by the jungle.

Days 27-28: Siem Reap - UK

Transfer to Siem Reap Airport and fly to the UK via Bangkok, arriving home the following day filled with many happy memories.